What is included in a free foundation inspection?

February 19, 2011

At the first sign of foundation problems, you should consider contacting a professional foundation repair company. The foundation repair company will come view your home and provide you with a free foundation inspection to determine if there are any problems that require repair.

In case you’re wondering what is involved with a foundation inspection, we’ve put together this article for you.

A free foundation inspection should include the following:

Use of a zip-level to record floor elevations in every effected room.

Exterior and interior inspection for signs of physical damage and movement.

Landscape evaluation including drainage, soil movement, the location of trees, and condition of retainer walls.

Contour analysis to determine foundation movement and shifts.

Discussion with the home owner about concerns and any past problems or foundation repairs.

Discussion of foundation repair methods and options.

The homeowner should walk with the inspector and ask questions. If the house has been recently repaired or remodeled, the changes should be identified. Recent repairs may mask signs of foundation problems.

Check the credentials of the inspector. The employees at Granite Foundation Repair work under the direction of the local owner, an engineer, who is a Certified Foundation Repair Specialist. At present there is no licensing of foundation companies in Texas, so to fill the void, the Foundation Repair Association has established a program of certification, continuing education, and annual review.

After this complete foundation inspection, we will be able to determine the needs of your home or office. The foundation inspection will tell us the exact areas of need and alert us to any other potential issues in the home. Once we determine all the areas of need, we can discuss the foundation repair options. In most cases, steel pier foundation repair is the best solution.

While a foundation inspection can be given by just about anyone, it is important to have a Certified Foundation Repair Specialist conduct your foundation inspection. This repair specialist does attend educational classes on foundation repair and goes through a certification program. Make sure your inspector is a certified foundation repair specialist when they inspect your foundation.

After a foundation inspection, the homeowner should understand any foundation issues with their home, if any. They should also understand the options for repairing their foundation.